Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on LPS-induced TLR4 expression in rat alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells. Methods The primarily cultured alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells isolated from male rats were randomly assigned to one of 5 groups: group Ⅰ cells were incubated for 3 h without any additive (control) ; group Ⅱ cells were incubated with LPS 1 μg/ml for 3 h (LPS) ; group Ⅲ , Ⅳ , Ⅴ cells were incubated with LPS 1 μg/ml + propofol 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L respectively for 3 b (P1-3). TLR4 mRNA and TLR4 protein expression was detected by real time PCR and Western blot. TNF-α release amount was measured using ELISA. Results LPS significantly' increased TLR4 mRNA and protein expression in alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells as well as TNF-α release amount. Propefol at 50 and 100 μmol/L significantly inhibited LPS-imluced increase in TLR4 mRNA and protein expression and TNF-α release amount. Conclusion Propofol can dose-dependently inhibit LPS-induced inflammation in alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial ceils, through down-regnlation of TLR4 gene and protein expression.

Adult ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; blood ; genetics ; Pneumoconiosis ; blood ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective: To investigate the roles of Bcl-xl and Bcl-xs in the development and progression of endometrial carcinoma, and to explore their correlation.Methods: The expression of Bcl-xl and Bcl-xs in 32 cases of endometrial carci-noma, 12 cases of endometrial atypical hyperplasia, 6 cases of endometrial simple hyperplasia and 10 cases of normal en-dometrial tissues were examined by RT-PCR and Western-blot.Results: The expression of Bcl-xl mRNA and protein was significantly higher in endometrial cancer tissues than in normal endometrial tissues (P<0.05), and was statistically associat-ed with the pathological stage of endometrial carcinoma.(F=5.33, P=0.02).The expression of Bcl-xs mRNA and protein in atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma tissues were significantlly lower than that in normal endometri-al tissues (P<0.05), which was also associated with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of endometrial carcinoma (P<0.05).The expression of Bcl-xl was negatively correlated with the expression of Bcl-xs in different endometrial tissues (r=-0.76).Conclusion: The abnormal expression of Bcl-xs and Bcl-xl was a factor for the pathogenesis and development of endometrial carcinoma.The negative correlation between Bcl-xl and Bcl-xs in different endometrial tissues as well as their relative expression ratio may have certain impact on the genesis of endornetrial cancer.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus tuina in treating cervical vertigo (CV).Methods:One hundred CV patients were randomized into an observation group and an acupuncture group by the random number table,with 50 cases in each group.The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Xiang Ba Zhen (eight acupoints on the nape);the observation group received tuina treatment in addition to the Xiang Ba Zhen acupuncture.The two groups were both treated once every other day for 10 sessions in total.The two groups were examined by transcranial cerebral Doppler (TCD) before and after the treatment,and their therapeutic efficacies were evaluated.Results:After the treatment,the mean velocity (Vm) of vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA) showed significant improvement in both groups (all P＜0.001);there were significant differences in the Vm of VA and BA between the two groups (both P＜0.05).The total effective rate was 100.0％ in the observation group versus 82.0％ in the acupuncture group,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Xiang Ba Zhen acupuncture as a monotherapy or used together with tuina can improve CV,but Xiang Ba Zhen plus tuina can produce a more significant efficacy.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of transection of cervical sympathetic trunk (TCST)on the fetal brain in rats with pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH).Methods Thirty-two pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8 each):A control group;B PIH group;C TCST+PIH group and D sham operation+PIH group,PIH was produced by L-NAME 12.5 mg?100g~(-1) given subcutaneously from 14~(th)-20~(th) day of gestation.In group A normal saline was given instead of L-NAME.In group C TCST was performed on the 14~(th) day of gestation and L-NAME was injected asin group B.In group D the cervical sympathetic trunk was only exposed but not cut.Caesarean section was performed and fetus was taken on the 21~(st) day of gestation.The ultrastructure of fetal brain was examined.The content of ATP,ADP and AMP in the fetal brain and the Na~+-K~+-ATPase and Ca~(2+)-ATPase activity in neuronal plasmalemma were determined.Results The ultrastructure of the fetal brain was almost normal in group A and C,but was seriously damaged in group B and D.The ATP and adenylic acid content in the brain tissue and the Na~+-K~+-ATPase and Ca~(2+)-ATPase activity in neuronal plasmalemma were significantly lower in group B and D than in group A and C.Conclusion TCST has protective effect on the fetal brain in rats with PIH by improving energy supply and enhancing pump function of neuron.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; virology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; genetics ; pathology ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; Papillomavirus Infections ; metabolism ; RNA ; genetics ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo clarity the original plants and the main application varieties of White Flos Gentianae.

METHODHerbal textual research, wild specimen collection, investigation and collection of the samples from Tibetan hospital, Tibetan pharmaceutical factory and medical material market were carried out simultaneously to identify the original plants of White Flos Gentianae.

RESULTThe results of varieties textual research and specimen identification showed that Gentiana szechenyii, G. purdomii and G. algida were in accord with the record of Tibetan herbal textual The three species above were the original plants of White Flos Gentianae. The identification of 20 batches samples showed that G. szechenyii was the main application variety. The other varieties were only used in Tibetan hospitals. All the samples above were flowering branches.

CONCLUSIONIt was necessary to strengthen the research on variety systematization of White Flos Gentianae make a further discussion on the taxonomy position of G. purdomii, G. algida and the white flos population. Its was also nessary to establish and improve the quality standard of different variety based on the principle of "one species, one name". The quality specification of White Flos Gentianae should be established and improved to standard clinical utilization and produce feeding. More study of resources investigation and cultivation of G. szechenyii should be carried on to meet the demand of produce and clinic.

China ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Flowers ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Gentiana ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development

Objective To explore the effect of blocking BTLA-HVEM (herpesvirus entry mediator-B and T lymphocyte attenuator) pathway on dendritic cell function and the related immunological mechanisms. Methods Murine BTLA extracellular domain eukaryotic expression vector psBTLA was constructed by gene recombination and transfected CHO by Lipofection method. Mouse bone marrow cells were induced to differentiate into DCs by GM-CSF plus IL-4. Expression of BTLA and HVEM on DCs was detected after HSPT0-TC-1 peptide complex stimulation by FACS. Expression of BT-1 and secretion of IL-12 were detected after HSP70-TC-1 peptide complex plus psBTLA transfected CHO culture supernatant stimulation on DCs. Pretreated DCs co-cultured with the same genetic background mouse splenocytes and lymphocytes proliferation and cytokine secretion were detected. Effect of psBTLA gene transfer in vivo on BT-1 expression of DCs and tumor growth on tumor-bearing mice was detected. Results Extracellular domain of murine BTLA was successfully constructed, psBTLA stable transfection CHO cells were obtained and expression of BTLA extracellular domain(sBTLA) was detected the in its culture supernatant. BTLA and HVEM expression of DCs were increased after stimulation by the antigen peptide complex. When DCs were treated with antigen peptide complex plus culture supernatant containing sBTLA, B7-1 expression and IL-12 secretion were increased. Co-cultured with splenocytes, lymphocytes proliferation and cytokine secretion, such as IL-2 and IFN-γ,, were also increased. Gene transfection with psBTLA in vivo promoted B7-1 expression on DCs and inhibited cervical cancer cells growth. Conclusion Blockade of BTLA-HVEM inhibitory pathway with sBTLA can further improve DCs function, activation of lymphocytes and promote antitumor immune response.

BACKGROUND:Lipoic acid, with a closed circle structure composed by sulphur and carbon atoms, exerts strong anti-oxidation, and has been extensively applied in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress, diabetic cataract, diabetic neuropathy and cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of lipoic acid on peripheral nerve function during peripheral nerve ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS:Models of peripheral nerve ischemia/reperfusion injury were established in rabbits, and then rabbit models were then allotted to treatment and non-treatment groups. The treatment group was subdivided into experimental (injection of lippoic acid) and control groups according to the use of lipoic acid at 1, 3 and 6 hours after ischemia and before reperfusion. The ultrastructural changes of the sciatic nerve were observed under electron microscope, and the electrophysiological changes of the sciatic nerve were detected using evoked potential instrument. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:With the ischemic time increasing, the number of vacuoles in the axon increased gradually, accompanied by axonal atrophy, and Waller's degeneration in the aggregated microfilaments. The myelin sheath thickening and dissolving were visible. All above phenomena became severest at 6 hours after ischemia. Compared with the control groups, lipoic acid reduced the number of the vacuoles in the axon and all eviated axonal atrophy, Waller's degeneration and demyelination. As the ischemic time increasing, the latency of sciatic nerve was significantly increased, and peaked at 6 hours of ischemia;while the amplitude was significantly decreased, and reached a minimum at 6 hours of ischemia. Compared with the control groups, in the experimental groups, the latency of sciatic nerve was significantly decreased, but the amplitude was significantly increased. These results suggest that lipoic acid provides neuroprotection against peripheral nerve ischemia/reperfusion injury.